The ODI series between India and West Indies is locked at one-game apiece, with Team India registering a sensational victory over the touring party at Feroz Shah Kotla, after facing a thumping defeat in the series opener in Kochi.
Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was all smiles after the encounter because of an astonishing performance from the bowlers, but he was happier seeing his talisman Virat Kohli getting his touch back when it was required.
Kohli made a well-compiled fifty and stitched a 105-run partnership with Suresh Raina for the fourth wicket to help India reach a respectable total. The Delhi batsman, however, didn’t play on his favourite number three position but it fell into his favour at the end.
“Kohli is very experienced and he knows what the team wants,” Dhoni said. “We were able to convince him to bat down the order and he understood that it’s good for the team and himself. We have to look at everything.”
“He is a kind of player who scores at a brisk pace,” he added. “If someone is doing well at No.3 and Virat is comfortable at No.4 then why not. Let’s go with it. But it was the first time, so we will see.”
The Indian captain insisted that he wants his experienced players to play lower down the order and added that it helped Kohli to get some runs under his belt, after facing a slump in form.
“I believe it’s good for the team to have your most experienced players bat at No.5, 6 and 7,” Dhoni pointed out. “And yes it helps Virat to change his slot and have the cushion of runs behind him.”
Dhoni also added that playing Kohli at number four helped him promote Ambati Rayudu at number three, which disturbed opposition’s strategy.
“It was a win-win situation as Rayudu (Ambati) also got more balls to settle down,” he added. “It also disrupts the strategy of the opposition team. So everything fell into place.”
